Unit 1 Human disciplines like history,

folkloristics, and cultural anthropology study

Humanities and the Arts
subject matters that the manipulative
This unit shall give you a run through an experimental method does not apply to—and
overview of the Humanities and the significance instead mainly use the comparative method and
of the Arts as an important aspect of being comparative research.
human. Here, the basics of art appreciation shall
The study of humanities may also be
be discussed which will further enhance the
attributed to the symmetry and balance
learner’s orientation on the significant role of
discussed by the art piece known as the
humanities and the arts in one’s culture and the
Vitruvian Man of Leonardo da Vinci. This image
society in general.
demonstrates the blend of mathematics and art
Lesson 1 - Humanities and the Arts during the Renaissance and demonstrates
Leonardo's deep understanding of proportions.
“Man is the measure of all things.” - Protagoras In addition, this picture represents a cornerstone
of Leonardo's attempts to relate man to nature.

What is Humanities? Encyclopædia Britannica online states,

"Leonardo envisaged the great picture chart of
Humanities are academic disciplines that the human body he had produced through his
study aspects of human society and culture. In anatomical drawings and Vitruvian Man as a
the Renaissance, the term contrasted with cosmografia del minor mondo (cosmography of
divinity and referred to what is now called the microcosm). He believed the workings of the
classics, the main area of secular study in human body to be an analogy for the workings
universities at the time. Today, the humanities of the universe."
are more frequently contrasted with natural, and
sometimes social sciences, as well as According to Leonardo's preview in the
professional training. accompanying text, written in mirror writing, it
was made as a study of the proportions of the
The humanities use methods that are (male) human body as described in Vitruvius' De
primarily critical, or speculative, and have a architectura.
significant historical element as distinguished
from the mainly empirical approaches of the
natural sciences, yet, unlike the sciences, it has
no central discipline. The humanities include the
study of ancient and modern languages,
literature, philosophy, history, archeology,
anthropology, human geography, law, politics,
religion and art.
Scholars in the humanities are "humanity
scholars" or humanists. The term "humanist"
also describes the philosophical position of
humanism, which some "anti-humanist"
scholars in the humanities reject. The
Renaissance scholars and artists were also
called humanists. Some secondary schools
offer humanities classes usually consisting of
literature, global studies and art. Image of the Vitruvian Man
([Link]/google images)
Why Study Humanities? guides for a better understanding of life and
man’s existence:
A lot of reasons had been associated as
to why one must study Humanities. The 1. Human nature is inherently good.
following items are just a few of the many 2. Individuals are free and are capable
reasons why one must engage and be of making choices.
interested in Humanities: 3. Human potential for growth and
development is virtually unlimited.
As the word humanities came from the
4. Self-concept plays an important role
Latin “humanus” which means human, cultured
in growth and development.
and refined, man is taught to be as what the
5. Individuals have an urge for self-
term exactly means: being cultured and refined;
actualization.
Humans have the characteristics of rationality, 6. Reality is defined by each person.
benevolence and care, he is cultured and 7. Individuals have a responsibility to
refined as shown by good tastes and manner both themselves and to others.
indicative of good and proper education
Art Explained
Humanities contains the records of man’s
Art is a diverse range of human activities
quest for answers to the fundamental questions
in creating visual, auditory or performing
he asks himself and about the world we live in
artifacts (artworks), expressing the author's
Humanities studies man and the manner imaginative, conceptual ideas, or technical skill,
in which he conducts himself from the time of his intended to be appreciated for their beauty or
existence to the present (Martin & Jacobus, emotional power. Other activities related to the
2004) production of works of art include the criticism of
art, the study of the history of art, and the
Humanities is composed of academic aesthetic dissemination [clarification needed of
disciplines that make it distinctive in both art.
content and method from the physical and
biological sciences and from the social sciences The three classical branches of art are
painting, sculpture and architecture. Music,
The study of Humanities is devoted to theater, film, dance and other performing arts as
understanding the different phenomena within well as literature and other media such as
the human cultural contexts interactive media, are included in a broader
Humanities studies how people process definition of the arts. Until the 17th century, art
and document the human experience using referred to any skill or mastery and was not
philosophy, religion, literature, art and history as differentiated from crafts or sciences. In modern
their way of understanding and recording the usage after the 17th century, where aesthetic
world considerations are paramount, the fine arts are
separated and distinguished from acquired skills
Humanities studies how individuals’ in general, such as the decorative or applied
manner of expression varies as they record arts.
human experiences and how the way of
documenting these forms a connection between Though the definition of what constitutes
and among humans of the past, present and art is disputed and has changed over time,
future. general descriptions mention an idea of
imaginative or technical skill stemming from
Fundamental Principles of Humanities human agency and creation. The nature of art
The following are identified fundamental and related concepts, such as creativity and
principles of Humanities which are used as
interpretation, are explored in a branch of 2. Socially express his need for display,
philosophy known as aesthetics. celebration and communication; and
3. Physically express the need for utility
Nature of the Arts
of functional objects.
The following are identified natures of the
The Forms of Art Differentiated
Arts from the point of view of different artists
and philosophers: The matrix below shows the difference of the
art forms as identified:

1. Art or arts is of Aryan root “ar” which Functional art forms non- functional art forms
means to join or put together and has (the need for life to be ( the need to express
its Latin term being “sars” or “artis” better) aesthetics and beauty)
which means everything that is Architecture, weaving, painting, sculpture,
artificially made or composed by man furniture-making literature, music, dance
and theater
(wikipedia)
2. Art constitutes one of the oldest and
Functional Art Forms are those which
most important means of expression
may benefit the cause of man’s existence. They
developed by man.
are art forms which give people sustenance as
3. It refers to the skillful arrangement or
to need for life to be better. This benefit is mostly
composition of some common but
financial in nature. Functional art is generally
significant qualities of nature such as
applied art - art created for use, not necessarily
sounds, colors, lines, movements,
everyday use, but designed to serve a purpose
words, stone and wood to express and with an aesthetic in mind. It's art that serves
feelings, thoughts, imaginations and a function, but is designed artistically for the
dreams in an amazing, meaningful
purpose of beauty. They meet a need for use,
and enjoyable way. (Adams, 2002) and are works of art as well. ([Link])
4. Art is subjective as it employs the use
of perception, insights, feelings and The following example art pieces below are
intuition just a few of those which may be considered
5. It is the heightened expression of functional art forms:
human dignity and weaknesses felt
and shared so powerfully in a world
increasingly aware of its successes
and failures
6. It is man’s expression of himself as an
individual and how he views his
existence, and
7. Art also provides enjoyment and
stimulation specially when people
understand them
Functions of Art [Link](google images)
[Link] (google images)
Arts is a much needed avenue for
people to: Examples of Functional Art Forms

1. Express freely oneself;

Non-functional art forms is art that Philosophy of art is the study of the
serves no utilitarian purpose. It is in direct nature of art, including concepts such as
contrast with functional art, which has both an interpretation, representation and expression,
aesthetic value and a utilitarian purpose. and form. It is closely related to aesthetics, the
Nonfunctional art also encompasses paintings, philosophical study of beauty and taste. In short,
sculptures and all manner of fine art. These one cannot do away with philosophy when
pieces usually seek to engage with the viewer explaining an art work. Also, one cannot
on an intellectual, emotional or aesthetic level. produce an artwork without considering the
The exploration of these sensibilities, rather importance of the philosophy behind its
than their utilitarian merits, determines the production.([Link])
artworks' worth. ([Link])
Below is an example of an art form entitled “Art
is a Friendly Deception” that combines both art
and philosophy.

[Link] (google images)

[Link] (google images)
Examples of Non-functional art forms [Link] (google images)
Lesson 2 - Arts and Philosophy
Philosophy and Arts Related
The Artistic Philosophers
Philosophy is a field of discipline which
The following are just a few of the philosophers
has attempted to explain almost all aspects of
whose advocacies not only focused on the
human existence. Philosophy is the study of
philosophic ideas but also shared a few of their
general and fundamental questions about
conceptions about the Arts.
existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind,
and language. Such questions are often posed
as problems to be studied or resolved. The term
1. Plato ( 428 – 347 BC) is a philosopher of
was probably coined by Pythagoras.
Ancient Greece who is known for his Dialogues
Art or Aesthetics, on the other hand, is together with Socrates. He loved and hated the
the study of beauty and taste, concerned with arts at the same time which makes his
the nature of art and used as a basis for philosophical views on art unexplainably
interpreting and evaluating individual works of complicated. With the Republic being his work,
art. It is a branch of philosophy that deals with Plato was seen as a good literary stylist and
the nature of beauty and taste, as well as the great story teller and considered the arts as
philosophy of art. It examines subjective and threatening. He believed that “ though arts can
sensori-emotional values, or sometimes called be used to train citizens to have an ideal society,
judgments of sentiment and taste. using arts to accomplish this should be strictly
controlled”. He also explained that the physical
world is a copy of a perfect, rational, eternal and order, symmetry and definiteness. As
changeless original which he called FORMS. exemplified in his Poetics, he stated that
physical manifestation of beauty is affected by
Plato’s Ideas of the Arts may be summed up by
SIZE. He considered art as imitation or a
the truths according to him that:
representation of nature and his emphasis of the
1. Art is imitation; art is on POETRY which for him is more
2. Art is dangerous. philosophical than Philosophy itself.
An image of Aristotle’s Poetics (google images)

(google images)

Beauty, Justice, and The Circle are all

examples of what Plato called Forms or Ideas.
Poets imitated the following according to
Other philosophers have called them
Aristotle:
Universals. Many particular things can have the
form of a circle, or of justice, or beauty. For 1. Things and events which have been
Plato, these Forms are perfect Ideals, but they or still are;
are also more real than physical objects. He 2. Things which are said to be seen and
called them "the Really Real". The world of the are probable and
Forms is rational and unchanging; the world of 3. Things which essentially are.
physical appearances is changeable and
3. Immanuel Kant (1724 – 1804) was a
irrational, and only has reality to the extent that
German, Enlightenment philosopher who wrote
it succeeds in imitating the Forms. The mind or
a treatise on Aesthetics: Observations on the
soul belongs to the Ideal world; the body and its
Feelings of the Beautiful and the Sublime. His
passions are stuck in the muck of the physical
main interest was not on art but on BEAUTY that
world. So the best human life is one that strives
it is a matter of TASTE. Kant explained that
to understand and to imitate the Forms as
TASTE can be both SUBJECTIVE and
closely as possible. That life is the life of the
UNIVERSAL.
mind, the life of the Philosopher (literally, the
lover of wisdom). Self control, especially control For KANT, beauty is a question of form and
of the passions, is essential to the soul that color is NOT IMPORTANT. The Kinds of
wants to avoid the temptations of sensuality, Aesthetic Responses according to Kant are:
greed, and ambition, and move on to the Ideal
1. Beauty results in pleasure if there is
World in the next life. ([Link])
order, harmony and symmetry; and
2. Aristotle ( 384 – 322 BC) was a student 2. Beauty leads to a response of awe
of Plato who first distinguished between “what is that overwhelms the viewers of the
good and what is beautiful''. For him, the art.
universal elements of beauty are manifested by
Ryan Cayabyab, A National Artist of the
Philippines for Music ([Link])
[Link] (google images) An artisan (from French: artisan, Italian:
artigiano) is a skilled craft worker who makes or
Kant’s Philosophy of the Mind as explained
through Arts creates things by hand that may be functional or
strictly decorative, for example furniture,
Artists vs. Artisans decorative arts, sculptures, clothing, jewellery,
food items, household items and tools or even
An artist is a person engaged in an
mechanisms such as the handmade clockwork
activity related to creating art, practicing the
movement of a watchmaker. Artisans practice a
arts, or demonstrating an art. The common
craft and may through experience and aptitude
usage in both everyday speech and academic
reach the expressive levels of an artist. The
discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only.
adjective "artisanal" is sometimes used in
The term is often used in the entertainment
describing hand- processing in what is usually
business, especially in a business context, for
viewed as an industrial process, such as in the
musicians and other performers (less often for
phrase artisanal mining. Thus, "artisanal" is
actors). "Artiste" (the French for artist) is a
sometimes used in marketing and advertising as
variant used in English only in this context; this
a buzz word to describe or imply some relation
use is becoming rare. Use of the term to
with the crafting of handmade food products,
describe writers, for example, is valid, but less
such as bread, beverages or cheese. Many of
common, and mostly restricted to contexts like
these have traditionally been handmade, rural
criticism. ([Link])
or pastoral goods but are also now commonly
The following are a few examples of artists in made on a larger scale with automated
their fields of expertise: mechanization in factories and other industrial
areas. Artisans were the dominant producers of
consumer products before the Industrial
Revolution. In ancient Greece, artisans were
drawn to agoras and often built workshops
nearby. Below are a few images of artisans
doing their crafts:

An image of a Bagiuo painter with his

artwork ([Link])
Sources: [Link], [Link] and word (e.g. comics). From prehistoric cave
[Link] (google images) paintings to modern-day films, art serves as a
vessel for storytelling and conveying
humankind's relationship with the environment.
([Link])
One’s self-expression especially when
inclined with arts may take various forms
depending on the expertise and artistic
inclinations of an artist, One may want to
express his artistic abilities by way of specific art
forms such as painting or dance or a
combination of both. One may express oneself
Here is a Venn Diagram which features the through other forms as music, sculpture,
similarities and differences of artists and literature or all of three combined. Whatever
artisans. form of art one may use in expressing oneself,
what is important is that his self expression and
creativity are explicit.
The following items below are the art forms
which one may use in order to express his
artistic inclinations:

1. Architecture. Architecture is an art form

that reflects how we present ourselves across
the earth’s landscape, and, like other expressive
mediums, it changes with styles, technologies
and cultural adaptations. Architecture not only
source:[Link] (google images) provides worldly needs of shelter, workspace
The Art Forms and storage but also represents human ideals in
buildings like courthouses and government
The arts refers to the theory, human buildings and manifestations of the spirit in
application and physical expression of creativity churches and temples. Traditional architecture
found in human cultures and societies through has survived over thousands of years in one
skills and imagination in order to produce form or another, while contemporary design
objects, environments and experiences. Major offers new approaches in how we use materials
constituents of the arts include visual arts and technology to shape the look of our
(including architecture, ceramics, drawing, environment.
filmmaking, painting, photography and ([Link]
sculpting), literature (including fiction, drama, artappreciation/chapter/oer-1-27/)
poetry, and prose), and performing arts
(including dance, music and theater), culinary Architecture is considered as the most
arts (including cooking, chocolate making and functional of all the art forms. Some examples of
winemaking). architectural works are The Malacanang
Palace, the Philippines’ seat of government,
Some art forms combine a visual The Cultural Center of the Philippines, the
element with performance (e.g. center of cultural activities of the country and
cinematography), or artwork with the written
Burj Khalifa, the highest skyscraper in the Some example of sculptures are the
United Arab Emirates to name a few. following: The Jose Rizal Monument in Rizal
Park, the University of the Philippines Oblation
in all UP campuses around the Philippines and
the Black Nazarene in the Minor Basilica of the
Black Nazarene in Quiapo district, Manila,
Philippines.

An image of The Malacanang Palace

Source:[Link] (google
images)
The Rizal Monument Source:
[Link] (google images)

The Cultural Center of the Philippines Source:

[Link] (google images)

The UP Oblation The Black

Nazarene Source: [Link]
Source: [Link]
Burj Khalifa Source: [Link] (google 3. Painting. Painting is the application of
images) pigments to a support surface that establishes
an image, design or decoration. In art the term
2. Sculpture. Sculpture, an artistic form in
“painting” describes both the act and the result.
which hard or plastic materials are worked into
Most painting is created with pigment in liquid
three-dimensional art objects. The designs may
form and applied with a brush. Painting as a
be embodied in freestanding objects,
medium has survived for thousands of years
and is, along with drawing and sculpture, one of
the oldest creative media. It’s used in some form
in reliefs on surfaces, or in environments by cultures around the world. Painting media are
ranging from tableaux to contexts that envelop extremely versatile because they can be applied
the spectator. An enormous variety of media to many different surfaces (called supports)
may be used, including clay, wax, stone, metal, including paper, wood, canvas, plaster, clay,
fabric, glass, wood, plaster, rubber, and random lacquer and concrete. (source:
“found” objects. Materials may be carved, [Link]
modeled, molded, cast, wrought, welded, sewn, /chapter/reading- painting) Some of the
assembled, or otherwise shaped and combined. examples of this two-dimentional art form are
([Link] Juan Luna’s
spectators who feel no wish to dance
themselves. These two concepts of the art of
Spolarium, Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci and
dance—dance as a powerful impulse and dance
The Fishermen by Ang Kiukok among others.
as a skillfully choreographed art practiced
largely by a professional few—are the two most
important connecting ideas running through any
consideration of the subject. In dance, the
connection between the two concepts is
stronger than in some other arts, and neither
can exist without the other. Dance is an art form
or activity that utilizes the body and the range of
movement of which the body is capable.
([Link]
Some of the examples of this art form are
The Fishermen by Ang Kiukok Source:
the folk dances of the Philippines like Tinikling
[Link] (google images)
and Subli, ballet, and modern dances to name a
few.

4.22 × 7.675 meters (13.8 × 25.18 feet).

Spolarium by Juan Luna Source: [Link]-

[Link] (google images)
The Tinikling Source:
[Link] (google images)

Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci Source: Subli Folk Dance Source:

[Link] (google images) [Link] google images)

4. Dance. Dance is the movement of the

body in a rhythmic way, usually to music and
within a given space, for the purpose of
expressing an idea or emotion, releasing
energy, or simply taking delight in the movement
itself. Dance is a powerful impulse, but the art of
dance is that impulse channeled by skillful
performers into something that becomes
Modern Hip Hop Dance Source:
intensely expressive and that may delight
[Link] (google images)
5. Music. Music is an art form, and event before a live audience in a specific place,
cultural activity, whose medium is sound. often a stage. The performers may
General definitions of music include common communicate this experience to the audience
elements such as pitch (which governs through combinations of gesture, speech, song,
melody and harmony), rhythm (and its music, and dance. Elements of art, such as
associated concepts tempo, meter, and painted scenery and stagecraft such as lighting
articulation), dynamics (loudness and are used to enhance the physicality, presence
softness), and the sonic qualities of timbre and immediacy of the experience. The specific
and texture (which are sometimes termed the place of the performance is also named by the
"color" of a musical sound). Different styles or word "theatre" as derived from the Ancient
types of music may emphasize, de-emphasize Greek théatron, "a place for viewing", itself from
or omit some of these elements. Music is theáomai, "to see", "to watch", "to observe".
performed with a vast range of instruments and Modern theatre includes performances of
vocal techniques ranging from singing to plays and musical theatre. The art forms of
rapping; there are solely instrumental pieces, ballet and opera are also theatre and use many
solely vocal pieces (such as songs without conventions such as acting, costumes and
instrumental accompaniment) and pieces that staging. They were influential to the
combine singing and instruments. (wikipedia) development of musical theatre; see
thosearticles for more information.
Some of the examples which may be
([Link]
associated with music are the Philippine folk
songs and the produced popular music of Some examples of theatrical
Filipino singers like Sarah Geronimo and Gary presentations are the following: Shakespeare’s
Valenciano to name a few. Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and
Juliet, Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables and the
local theatrical presentations of Noli Me
Tangere and chosen zarzuelas and moro-moro
performances.

Popular Filipino Bands Source:

[Link] (google images)

Source: [Link] (google images)

Source: [Link] (google

images)
6. Theater. Theatre or theater is a
collaborative form of performing art that uses
live performers, typically actors or actresses, to
present the experience of a real or imagined
Plays of William Shakespeare Sources: The art forms may be classified as visual
[Link] and [Link] arts and performing arts. Visual arts are those
which are felt by the senses which includes
sculpture, painting and architecture.
7. Literature. Literature, most generically,
Music, Dance and Theater are under the
is anybody or collection of written work. More
performance arts category. Literature may be
restrictively, literature refers to writing
visual or performance depending upon the
considered to be an art form or any single writing
manner as to how it shall be presented.
deemed to have artistic or intellectual value, and
sometimes deploys language in ways that differ At present, there are other emerging art
from ordinary usage. Literature is classified forms that have evolved. These art forms are
according to whether it is fiction or nonfiction, digital arts which includes photography and
and whether it is poetry or prose. Fiction can be installation arts.
further distinguished according to major forms
Appreciating the Arts
such as the novel, short story, or drama; and
such works are often categorized according to The previous pages of this module have
historical periods or their adherence to certain given you a rundown of the basics of art
aesthetic or genre. appreciation and the key points as to how one
([Link] will be keen in understanding a certain artwork
or other forms of artistic presentation. The aim
Literature may be in any form such as
of making the students learn to appreciate the
poetry, novel, short story, essay, epic and
arts is primarily to get the learner an engaging
legends among others. Literature may be oral or
relationship with a particular art work and for
written and are also sometimes meant to be
one to understand the meaning behind an
performed before an audience.
artistic creation, the messages that it would
Some exmaples of this literary pieces are want to convey to its viewers and to appreciate
The Woman Who Had Two Navels by Nick one’s product of art should one will be
Joaquin, Po-on by F. Sionil Jose, Myths, compelled to produce or make one. In so doing,
Legends and Folktales by Maximo D. Ramos here are a few pointers as to how art
and Stupid is Forever by the late Senator Miriam appreciation may be applied by a learner of the
Defensor Santiago. course as takeaways from
[Link]/course:
1. Give a good physical description of the
artwork based on their knowledge of art
elements and materials;
2. Analyze the artwork in terms of what the
artist wants his work to represent and the
learner’s subjective reaction to the works which
includes their thoughts and feelings;
3. Perceive the art work in the context of its
history. This would enlighten the learners of the
artist’s intention in doing the work and add to the
understanding of the meaning the work is
supposed to convey;
4. Give meaning to the artwork based on its
source: google images description, analysis and context; and
5. Judge the artwork as to whether it is good
or bad based on the learner’s perception of it
and its aesthetic and cultural value.
Art is not meant to be looked at only for
what it is. It is meant to stimulate thought
because it allows viewers to draw their own
emotions and pull from their personal
experiences when viewed. It is very powerful in
this way and it naturally develops critical and
innovative thinking skills. Art also teaches many
important qualities such as listening, observing
and responding to multiple perspectives. Having
an appreciation for art also helps us to develop
an appreciation for each other and how we are
all unique in our own way.
For many people, art is meant to express
something that we ourselves feel unable to
express or convey. Through its visual medium it
evokes feelings of joy, sadness, anger and pain.
That is why art appreciation is so important in
bringing that one final element to complete the
work, and that is our interpretation. Our
perspective brings the artwork to life as it
changes for every person around it. It is
important to foster art appreciation and analysis,
as it helps us value the art in how it appeals to
us and what it means to each person. It delves
into the history and the story behind the art, as
well as a look into the lives of the artists. It
enables one to critically analyze a work, along
lines of design, mastery and techniques. Most
importantly, however, art appreciation
stimulates thought and analysis, provokes an
individual to look past what meets the eye and
open our mind to the views of others. Art is here
to stay. It is a person’s history and legacy which
is an ultimate proof that his personal
experiences can be articulated and his
immortality can be defined.
([Link]
of-art-appreciation/)